After spending almost a week at Northwest Portland Hostel, I can honestly say it’s the best hostel I’ve stayed at in the U.S. It’s a great option for solo travelers, backpackers, digital nomads, or anyone looking for affordable lodging in Portland that still feels fun, comfortable, and safe!
This hostel is one of the most community-focused places I’ve ever stayed. They host events almost every night of the week, and walking tours 3 days a week, and they’re open to locals, not just travelers. My first night there was the open mic night. It was set up to have open mic performers before and after a main local headlining performance. Everyone who performed was extremely talented, and it was clear that it was a part of their regular routine and something everyone loved coming together for.
I also joined their walking tour on Friday morning, which is led by a Portland local who’s a friend of the hostel owners. She runs the tours every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and donates all the tips to local charities. It’s a pay-what-you-can donation-based tour, making it accessible for budget travelers. The tour was fun, casual, and informative, offering a glimpse into the local community of Portland rather than just regurgitating facts about the area. The Traditional American Old Time Music Jam was another music event with local musicians that came together just to jam for the night, while the rest of us got to hang out and enjoy the music. On Friday night, I joined the free tap tasting for hostel guests and got to try 4 of the local beers on tap and meet some of the other people staying at the hostel. Afterwards, a group of us walked down the street together to grab drinks from a few of the local bars and restaurants, which brings me to how great the location is!
The hostel is located in Northwest Portland, near the Nob Hill and Pearl District neighborhoods. It’s walking distance to NW 23rd Avenue, Powell’s City of Books, Washington Park, Mission Theater, and a bunch of food carts and coffee shops. You’re also near the MAX light rail and multiple bus stops, so getting around is easy without a car. If you are driving, the hostel has parking passes available for rent.
This is one of the most walkable areas in Portland, with tons of bars, cafes, vintage shops, and restaurants nearby. There was also a Trader Joe’s about a 6-minute walk away from the hostel. The hostel has a full kitchen for guest use, making it easy to grab some groceries and save money by cooking instead of going out for every meal.
If you are looking to go out for a meal and need a recommendation, the team at the hostel never led me astray! They recommended an amazing pho place to me, Pho Van Fresh, that was along my walk to Powell’s Books on my first day, and Pizza Kat to replenish me after my 8.2-mile hike at the Trail of Ten Falls before I returned my rental car near the hostel. Both recommendations get 5 stars from me.
The hostel property itself is everything you need in a hostel. It’s made up of six buildings on the same block in Northwest Portland. Most of them are historic homes from the late 1800s, so it feels more like a little neighborhood than one big building. My dorm room was clean and quiet, with a bathroom and shower inside the room, plus extra facilities in the hallway if needed.
There’s a full guest kitchen stocked with everything you need to cook, which I used a couple of times. There’s also an on-site café that’s open to the public, with coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a great local beer and wine selection on tap. As a hostel guest, you get $3 off breakfast, which is a solid deal. I also loved the Secret Garden patio area in the back. It’s a chill space with lounge furniture and greenery, perfect for reading or just hanging out.
They offer dorms, private rooms, and studios with kitchens inside, so you’ve got options depending on your travel style or budget. There’s also 24/7 access to the common areas, water refill stations, and laundry on site. Something small that I really liked was that the luggage storage room is a keycard-access room where you can store your bags before check-in or after check-out without needing to ask the front desk every time you want to get something.
As a digital nomad, it’s a great place considering the 24/7 common area access with a lot of seating and power outlets at each spot, the on-site cafe, and strong wifi.
I really couldn’t recommend this hostel more. As an experienced hostel-stayer there wasn’t any part of me left disappointed. For someone who has never stayed in one before but wanted to try it out, I would feel confident in recommending this hostel as somewhere they would enjoy and be left with a great impression of hostel life.
Book your next stay on their website at www.nwportlandhostel.com!